WASHINGTON’S
PRESIDENCY
MORE POWER, MORE
PROBLEMS
WHISKEY
REBELLION
• A tax placed on whiskey
• It was an excise tax =tax on luxury
items--not necessary to live/survive
• Purpose of tax=raise money
• Hamilton--came up with the tax
WHISKEY
REBELLION
 Pennsylvania farmers are angry with tax; argue
that whiskey is not a luxury; they make a living
with it
 Tax hurt their trade; so they rebelled.
 In reaction: Hamilton convinces Washington
to send troops so that government appears
strong
 15,000 troops go
-Jefferson is angry b/c such an action is showing the
government is too controlling
Why is the Whiskey
Rebellion important?
It shows the new, young government
affirming (making clear) it’s in control
Influence of the Federalists=very high
Adds to the growing tension between
Hamilton and Jefferson and their parties
What problems did the U.S.
have with Great Britain?
British troops were still positioned in the
Northwest Territory.
This was against the treaty ending the
Rev. War=Treaty of Paris 1783
British agents in Canada were supplying
Native Americans with arms and
gunpowder
Problems with Britain
 White settlers were battling with Native
Americans out on the frontier (west of
Appalachians)
 Britain began impressment of U.S. sailors
(kidnapping)
 Impressment: forcing someone to serve in military
of another country
What problems did the
U.S. have with Spain?
 Spain would not allow US shipping free access
through New Orleans.
 Would not let U.S. use Miss. River
 This was hard on farmers.
But the U.S. did not want to go to war with Spain b/c
it was young; w/o a strong military; did not have
much money
How does France become
a problem for the U.S.?
 France expected the U.S. to join its side during the
French Revolution.
 Why?
 Because France helped the U.S. during the
American Rev.; both countries had signed a treaty
in 1778
 In treaty: US would defend France if its West
Indian lands were attacked; France could use US
ports to keep their ships during wartime.
How does Washington react
to the French Revolution?
He passes the Proclamation of
Neutrality of 1793.
Declared that the US would not take sides
during the war.
In response, France began to impress U.S.
sailors.
How did others react to
the French Rev.
Hamilton/Federalists: supported Britain and
were against the Fr. Rev.
-U.S. did a lot of trading with Britain
Jefferson/Republicans: supported France and the
Fr Rev.
-France inspired by US fight for freedom
-Jefferson against neutrality b/c wanted British out
Tension: as a result of disagreements between the
two political parties, their dislike of each other
grows more and more
CITIZEN GENET
 SHOW SRHS VIDEO CLIP
 Asked the US to support the French Rev
 He hired US sailors and privateers to prey on
British ships
 This violated the Proclamation of Neutrality
 Washington has Genet kicked out; He did not
want to risk another war with Great Britain.
How do problems with
Britain,Spain, and Native
Americans get solved?
Jay’s Treaty
Pinckney’s Treaty
Treaty of Greenville
JAY’S TREATY
When: 1795
Causes:
-impressments of U.S sailors
-England in Northwest Territory (stationed;
not leaving)
-England giving guns to Native Americans
Treaty Details
Key people involved: John Jay (he is sent to
England to work out a treaty
Treaty Details:
1. England leaves NW territory
2. No agreement is made on stopping
impressments; it continues
3. The treaty comes back to the U.S. and the
people protest
a. Jay is burned in effigy (life-size model)
SIGNIFICANCE OF
JAY’S TREATY
1. A still new and weak U.S. avoids war.
2. U.S. is able to develop in peace.
PINCKNEY’S TREATY
When: 1795
Causes:
1. Americans wanted to be free to use the
Miss. River and Port of New Orleans.
2. Spain feared an alliance between England
and U.S. that could cause Spain to lose Florida
and Louisiana
a. Spain hoped to get Tennessee and
Kentucky away from the U.S.
Treaty Details
Key people:Thomas Pinckney: special envoy
(agent); Godoy--Spanish minister
1. Southern boundary increased
2. “Right of deposit”: US farmers would
have the right to transfer goods North using
the Mississippi River (Port of New Orleans)
Effects of Pinckney
Treaty
1.
U.S. expanded
-More farmers would move West with the
access to the Mississippi River
2. Economy grew
3. U.S. keeps Tennessee Kentucky
Significance of Event
The treaty is a success, unlike Jay’s Treaty.
TREATY OF
GREENVILLE
When: 1795
Causes: conflicts with Native Americans over
settling into their lands in the Ohio territory
(west of the Appalachian Mountains)
Native Americans of the Northwest agreed to
open up most of the Ohio Territory for
settlement.
End of an Era
READING OR LISTEN TO RECITATION OF FAREWELL
ADDRESS
In 1796, Washington decided not to run for a 3rd term:
This sets an example to future presidents to serve, at most, twoterms
In his Farewell Address, Washington warns against:
1. Political parties, especially based on where someone lived
2. permanent ties (alliances) with foreign countries.
3. Not paying or honoring debts